Broaden Your Skills Rogers AR

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I coordinate financial reporting on a corporate intranet for a major corporation. I have found that programmers are a dime a dozen if they have no other skills. For example, about a year ago, I approached a recruiter to find me someone who can program ASP, VB, SQL Server--and who had a degree in Accounting. I was laughed at and was told that person didn't exist.

They do exist, and they command top dollar, but I'm willing to pay it for those credentials. I don't have the time to hold a programmer's hand and explain how liabilities work with equity accounts to generate a balance sheet. I was able to find an ex-Enron employee, and now this person is invaluable to my department.

Someone once told me when I was in school to get my undergraduate degree in something I really liked and then go on for an MBA to be able to get a job in that field. I would suggest something similar for the IT community. Get a degree in a field you're interested in (other than computers) while getting your IT certifications. There are so many people who are great programmers but who really don't understand their employer's core business. Gain knowledge about a field and become a programmer. The degree is very important, not only for the knowledge, but to prove to a prospective employer you're willing to jump through hoops. So many in the IT field feel they are above this. Guess what? You're not. The degree is a must.

Jim Cline

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